Proclaiming God's Word To The Nations
 
 
Bible Daily Devotional from Proverbs
email friend

Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.    

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 20:29-30 (KJV):
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Proverbs 20:29-30 (AMP):
29 The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head (suggesting wisdom and experience.)
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil, and strokes (for correction) reach to the innermost parts.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses in Proverbs tell us there should be no generational gap, as both young and old are needed and they also point out the need for correction.  Verse 29 points out that the younger men are needed for strength while the older men are needed for their wisdom and experience. Cultures who do not utilize this truth about the experience and wisdom of the elders in a society, waste the resources that are within their older citizens. Some people are waking up to the need for this and are finding a wealth of knowledge that can be used to lighten the load for the younger ones.  While the old men cannot physically employ the many different  ideas because they may have some physical constraints; they can share with the younger generation and they can implement those ideas.  This does not mean the young men cannot add their ideas, they should.  Building on the foundation of the elders should make the young men's ideas and plans even greater! This verse simply points out the strengths of both generations. They need each other.

We are seeing what happens to young men who are raised without a father figure right now in our society.  Many are totally dysfunctional. They become aimless and rebellious without a father's guidance. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:28: Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. This simply means that children should not tear down those parameters and standards that the fathers have set.  They know many things that are harmful for them, or things that will work, and things that will not work, just from experience.

Even in the church, we are commanded of the Lord to build on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Ephesians 2:19-20: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Because of deception, many people are embracing false doctrines because they have failed to build on the doctrine of Christ, which He establishes through His apostles and prophets and the Bible. Hebrews 13:17 says, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

In our study today, verse 30, also tells us through an analogy that correction that comes by blows and strokes aimed at rebellious actions will produce a cleansing effect. When children are not disciplined by spanking they end up rebellious and unruly.  A little accidental bruise an their buttocks from a spanking is better than seeing them end up being destroyed by rebellion.  If you tell a child not to do something that is dangerous and they persist it could kill them. An example would be to tell them not to run into the street as they might get run over.  Some children that are head strong have to have a spanking to get the message across.  Now we are not advocating beating a child in an angry rage, but a good swat on the behind has helped many a child to listen to what you are saying in order to prevent the child from danger. 

Proverbs 13:24 (KJV): He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 13:24 (AMP): He who spares his rod (of discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him diligently disciplines and punishes him early.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, We pray today for the restoration of the generation gap.  May the fathers have Your wisdom in dealing with their children.  May the young men respect and honor their elders. Lord, convict fathers to be the proper role models for their children and love their children with Your love.  Your disciplines are never done to destroy us, but to correct and turn us away from the things that are harming us. May the fathers look to You as how to deal with their rebellious children. Lord, give the children and young men submissive spirits so that they heed their father's good advice and may they offer their strength to help their fathers.  I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.